Personality profile systems like the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) are very popular. Many people use these and other personality profile systems to understand themselves and others in both personal and business contexts. Are personality profile systems legit, though? There is debate about whether or not they are. But does it matter if they are “legit” if you find something helpful?
What Research Says
More scientific research has been done in recent years around personality profiles. However, there is still conflicting data available regarding whether personality profiles are legit. There does tend to be agreement that the tests, especially some of the free ones online, are not particularly scientific. Some reasons include that people answer the questions based on how they want to be as opposed to how they are. It can also be quite easy to guess which answers will lead to certain results.
There are a few personality systems that are considered more legit in the scientific community. The Big Five is widely accepted as scientifically valid. It evaluates where one falls on a spectrum of five personality traits. Because it focuses on traits rather than defining types, it is deemed more acceptable because it doesn’t try to put people into categories.
What Psychologists Say
Psychologists also have differing opinions on whether personality profile systems are legit. Some believe that personality profiles are helpful tools for understanding yourself. Others think that the systems are not accurate or reliable enough to understand ourselves better.
I recently read Personality Isn’t Permanent by Benjamin Hardy, and he points to research that shows personalities aren’t fixed sets of traits. He argues that we don’t discover our true selves, but that we build ourselves into who we want to be. He compares personality assessments to astrology and horoscopes and asserts that it’s all a bunch of hooey (though his word choice is more professional.)
There are legitimate concerns about personality profiles being used to stereotype ourselves and others. They could also be used to discriminate against people by making assumptions about who they are based on their profile. It is fair to worry that employers might not hire someone based solely on a flawed personality assessment.
Does It Matter If Personality Profile Systems Are Legitimate?
While these are valid concerns, I don’t know that it should therefore mean that personality profile systems are never useful because some may abuse them. Even if the assessments and profiles aren’t 100% accurate, that doesn’t mean that they can’t be helpful tools for understanding ourselves and others. I would even include astrology.
Of course it is good to understand that these systems have limitations. Relying exclusively on an online assessment without further research might create assumptions about yourself that simply aren’t true. You must also remember that these personality profile types are not meant to put you in a box. The real point, in my experience, is to give you a starting point for understanding yourself as you dive deeper into self-discovery.
For example, I know that I am an Enneagram type 6, but that should not be used as an excuse for certain behaviors. My Enneagram type is not meant to give me a get-out-of-jail free card. “Oh, I am an Enneagram 6, so I can’t help it if all I do is worry.” No, this information is intended to make me realize, “Oh! I am worrying about an imagined future event. That’s okay, but maybe I can remember that these things usually don’t come to pass. Most of the time everything turns out fine.”
So, Are Personality Profile Systems Legit?
Ultimately, I’m not sure it matters whether science and psychology determine that personality profile systms are legit or not. If you find something useful in them, they are legit enough for you. And of course, if you don’t find them helpful, then there’s no reason you should try to rely on them.
Either way, it is important not to put yourself in a box that you can’t get out of. Take what is useful to you, whether it’s the Enneagram, your astrological sign, or your Hogwarts house, and forget about what doesn’t help. Just be aware that you also shouldn’t use them to stereotype others!!
